Wall panel for mounting miniature computing device

ABSTRACT

A wall panel for placement within a removable or permanent wall structure. The wall panel is adapted to receive a miniature computing device. The wall panel provides wired and/or wireless ports to which peripherals, such as keyboards, mice, monitors, etc. may be connected to the miniature computing device, thus enabling a user to interact and operate the miniature computing device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 61/258,556, filed Nov. 5, 2009, and entitled “Structures and Apparatuses Including Miniature Computing Device,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Many office workers typically work in a so-called cubical environment, as this provides for efficient use of floor space within a facility. However, the cubicles are often small work spaces and become cluttered with computing equipment, file cabinets, etc., leaving little space for the office worker. As such, computing equipment is often placed on the floor, in harm's way, where it can be kicked, bumped or collect dust and debris.

SUMMARY

In accordance with some implementations, there is provided a wall panel for placement within a removable or permanent wall structure. The wall panel is adapted to receive a miniature computing device. The wall panel provides wired and/or wireless ports to which peripherals, such as keyboards, mice, monitors, etc. may be connected to the miniature computing device, thus enabling a user to interact and operate the miniature computing device.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of preferred implementations will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. It should be understood, however, that the application is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a plan view of a wall partition having a wall panel to receive a miniature computing device;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the wall partition, the wall panel and the miniature computing device shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3A and 3B, illustrate the wall panel installed within a stud space of a drywall wall and within a space of an removable architectural wall; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a table having a holder to receive the miniature computing device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a wall partition 100 is shown having a removable wall panel 102 that is adapted to receive and/or mount a miniature computing device 108. The wall panel 102 enables an office to eliminate the standard desktop or laptop system from an already crowded work area and embed the miniature computing device 108 into the wall partition 102.

The wall partition 100 and wall panel 102 may be made of 18 gauge galvanized steel having dimensions shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Cross members 104 and 106 may be made of 16 gauge galvanized steel, and vertical members 110 and 112 may be made of 14 gauge galvanized steel. A front and/or rear face of the wall partition 100 may be finished with tiles 114 and 116 that are, e.g., 12 and 9 inches wide, respectively. The tiles 114 and 116 may be solid, vented or fabric tile. It is noted that the dimensions and materials are merely exemplary of one implementation, and other dimensions may be utilized in accordance with an environment in which the wall partition 100 and/or wall panel 102 may be installed. As shown, up to eight miniature computing devices 108 may be mounted in the wall panel 102.

The wall panel 102 may provide wired and/or wireless ports to which peripherals, such as keyboards, mice, monitors, etc. may be connected to the miniature computing device 108, thus enabling a user to interact and operate the miniature computing device.

The miniature computing device 108 may include a 1.2 GHz processer with 1 to 4 GB (or more) of DDR RAM. a 60GB solid state hard drive (or greater), and an Uninterrupted Power System (UPS) for power management and protection. Compact flash memory may be provided for backup redundancy if an attached server fails so users can continue to use the miniature computing device 108. The miniature computing device 108 can run any OS such as Windows XP, VISTA, 7, Mac, lynx, Linux, etc.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate the wall panel 102 installed within a stud space of a drywall wall 300 and within a space of an removable architectural wall 302. The wall panel 102 may have dimensions and characteristics shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates a table 400 having a holder 402 to receive the miniature computing device 108. The table 400 and holder 402 may have the dimensions shown in FIG. 4.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the present description. 

1. A wall panel, comprising: a generally rectangular surface defining mounting points for a plurality of miniature computing devices, the generally rectangular surface being bounded by raised edges that are adapted to be mounted within a space defined by a wall partition, wherein wall partition is adapted to be mounted within an office cubical.
 2. The wall panel of claim 1, further comprising ports to connect computer peripherals with the miniature computing devices.
 3. The wall panel of claim 2, wherein the computer peripherals comprise at least one of a keyboard, mouse and monitor.
 4. The wall panel of claim 1, wherein the wall panel is formed as a recessed pan that is disposed within vertical members of wall partition.
 5. The wall panel of claim 1, wherein a vertical member of the wall partition form an air ventilation cavity to allow heat from the miniature computing devices to dissipate.
 6. A partition wall, comprising: a generally rectangular frame; an adjustable cross member; a wall panel defining mounting points for a plurality of miniature computing devices and defining ports to which computer peripherals are connected; and tiles that are removably attached to the adjustable cross member.
 7. The partition wall of claim 6, wherein the computer peripherals comprise at least one of a keyboard, mouse and monitor.
 8. The partition wall of claim 6, wherein the wall panel is formed as a recessed pan that is disposed within the generally rectangular frame.
 9. The partition wall of claim 6, wherein a vertical member of the generally rectangular frame forms an air ventilation cavity to allow heat from the miniature computing devices to dissipate.
 10. A partition wall panel, comprising: a generally flat surface that defines mounting points for a miniature computing device, the generally flat surface further defining at least one opening for a port to connect peripherals to the miniature computing device; and raised edges extending from the generally flat surface, the raised edges being adapted for mounting within a partition wall.
 11. The panel of claim 10, wherein the opening accommodates a port for at least one of a keyboard, mouse and monitor.
 12. The panel of claim 10, wherein a vertical member of the partition wall define an air ventilation cavity to allow heat from the miniature computing device to dissipate from the panel. 